Mentors as bridge builders: The foundations of a successful internship program

It is proposed that a strong internship program is a powerful, cost efficient way of value adding to existing teaching education programs in universities and professional development activities in schools. A best practise internship model, will lead to enhanced learning outcomes for interns and school students and stronger relationships between all partners in education. This paper presents two case studies. One case study examines the experience of interns in a small Central Queensland school with a teaching Principal, and the other examines the experiences of four students in Coalsville - a small, coalmining town situated 400 kilometres from the Central Queensland coast. Conclusions will be drawn about the effectiveness of the 2003 Central Queensland University (CQU) Bachelor of Learning Management (BLM) internship program as a bridge that connects interns with their new career paths and supports them as they walk across the great divide. It also draws conclusions about the BLM program as one that prepares inclusive educators.